UK Health & Wellness Success Stories Archive
2012 Biggest BLUE Loser Winners
- Kathy Ward (1st place)
- Joe Salwach (1st place)
- Samantha Otte (2nd place)
- Kevin Pearson (2nd place)
- Lolita Martina (3rd place)
- Hussamuddin Nasir (3rd place)
- Emily Hicks
- Sean Conway
- Linda Rice
- Mike Soult
- Jeb Messer
- Janet Ford
- Rebecca Florence
- Elizabeth Siereveld
- Anonymous WOW Participant
- Samantha Otte
- Ashley Walton
- D. Allan Butterfield, PH.D.
- Jennifer Allen
- John Hoover
- Sandy Slater
- Susie Stombaugh
- Penny Cruse
- Bernadine McGhee
- Jill Hatton
- Ron Horvath
- Ronnie Chaffins
- Pat Field
- Tim and Julene Jones
- Charlene Wesley
More Success Stories
Kathy Ward: 2012 Biggest BLUE Loser Female 1st Place Winner. Lost 11.4% of her body weight!
Why did you
decide to join BBL?
I wanted to lose some weight and get into better
shape.
How did the program/staff help you?
Loved the
support of the online classes and tips each week.
What was your
biggest challenge?
I have a lot of food allergies and have learned
to deal with those. I am allergic to dairy, wheat, soy, corn, ham, fish, and
cheese.
What are your results to date?
Have you
reached your goal? I lost 11.4 percent of my body weight so far, and I want to
get down to 125 pounds in the future.
How does it feel to be YOU
now?
I love it!!!!!
Check out Weight Loss Matters for yourself!
Joe Salwach: 2012 Biggest BLUE Loser Male 1st Place Winner. Lost 11.8% of his body weight!
Why did you decide to join BBL?
I had a meeting with Karen before the program started to learn more about it, and I needed to get some advice on making better choices between meals. Karen gave me a great recommendation for programs to track your food, exercise and weight loss -- "Lose-IT" and because I use my iPhone and iPad all the time, it was a great fit. She also gave me a number of recommendations for good snacks to eat between my meals so that I don't come home and eat before dinner.How did the program/staff help you?
Karen, Emily and Helen are great coaches. They always share something that I take home with me and use in my daily transformation to become healthier. The fun food segment has given me a number of new items to add to my shopping list for healthy choices. The staff in the program are a sharing group, and our coaches always get everyone involved in the conversations.What was your biggest challenge?
My biggest challenge was to only eat what was on my weekly menu. I prepare a weekly menu and shop for what is on the menu, this serves a financial goal and a healthy weight goal.Another big challenge was getting a daily workout in for 30 minutes or more. I'm now at a goal of 1 hour per day for at least 6 days a week.
What are your results to date? Have you reached your goal?
During the ten weeks of the Biggest Blue Loser and WLM, I lost 11.8 percent of my body weight; I have reached my first goal. My goal for the next two 10-week sessions is to get my weight down to around 205 and go into maintenance mode.How does it feel to be YOU now?
I feel much better with more energy now. I can walk four miles in one hour and not feel tired afterwards. Many of my clothes don't fit me, and I had to cut my belts shorter. I plan to still lose weight over the next couple of months and get involved in different types of exercise programs.
Check out Weight Loss Matters for yourself!
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Samantha Otte: 2012 Biggest BLUE Loser Female 2nd Place Winner. Lost 9.7% of her body weight!
Why did
you decide to join BBL?
I had lost weight in the past with BBL. Last
summer, I focused on giving up smoking and when I did, I gained some of the
weight back. I am a very competitive person. So I joined BBL again knowing that
the chance at winning a prize would motivate me to stay on
track!
How did the program/staff help you?
As much as
I hate the thought of keeping a food diary, I have to admit that I could not
have lost the weight with keeping it -- at least not that much weight in that
amount of time. The exercise requirement of the competition really helped me
make exercise a habit. I used to hate working out. When I would hear people talk
about how much they liked working out, I rolled my eyes thinking, “Really? Who
LIKES to work out?” With BBL we are required to do 150 minutes a week. I started
mixing in different types of workouts throughout the week. Now, I can honestly
say I enjoy working out. I would even go as far to say that I MISS IT, if I
don’t get a workout in at lunch. Crazy but true!
And I cannot say enough about the staff. What a wonderful bunch to work with! There is no way I could have ever done this without their support, knowledge and guidance! Because of them, I have found a passion to be healthy. Something that really was not important to me before. Now I want to help my family be healthy. I’ve learned so much from the staff!
What was your biggest challenge?
In the beginning,
finding time to exercise was a big challenge. I learned to break my workouts up
some and also to make them a priority. I work out at lunch and then either hop
on the treadmill or pop in a video after the kids are in bed. That usually means
that I don’t get my second half of my workout until 8 or 9 at night, but it
hasn’t affected my sleep so it works for me. Another challenge was dinner every
night. I’m extremely fortunate in that my mother keeps my children while I’m at
work, and when I come to pick them up she has dinner waiting for me. It means a
lot to her so I cannot refuse it, BUT her style of cooking is not usually
healthly. But it tastes oh so good! I’ve had to learn to eat lighter and
healthier breakfast and lunches and watching my portion sizes for dinner.
What are your results to date? Have you reached your
goal?
I’ve lost 9.7 percent of my body weight. I reached my goal for
the 10-week period, but I’m still a few pounds away from my “Ultimate Goal.” I
expect to hit that goal soon -- or at least before my high school reunion in
July!
How does it feel to be YOU now?
Fantastic! I feel so much
healthier. Not just thinner but truly healthier. I have so much energy now. And
yes, I do look better in my clothing now. Hello confidence, where have you been
hiding? HA!
Check out Weight Loss Matters for yourself!
Kevin Pearson: 2012 Biggest BLUE Loser Male 2nd Place Winner. Lost 6.1% of his body weight.
Why did you
decide to join BBL?
I was physically active and ate a well-balanced
diet prior to the BBL competition, but I was looking for a little extra
motivation and accountability.
How did the program/staff help
you?
The program is great for those that are just getting started
along the path toward a healthier life or for those with just a few pounds to
lose. The classes were filled with useful information and tips to make difficult
food choices easier. Further, the food diary was an excellent deterrent when it
came time to buy Girl Scout Cookies this year — I found it is better to donate
the money instead of buying the cookies!
What was your biggest
challenge?
Keeping the food diary was my biggest challenge — it held
unbelievable persuasive powers over me during the BBL competition.
What are your results to date? Have you reached your
goal?
I lost 6.1 percent of my starting weight and will be happy to
maintain my current weight indefinitely.
How does it feel to be YOU now?
It feels amazing each
morning when I wake up feeling energized. However, I am fearful that I will not
be as buoyant at the pool this summer.
Check out Weight Loss Matters for yourself!
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Lolita Martina: 2012 Biggest BLUE Loser Female 3rd Place Winner. Lost 6.9% of her body weight.
It’s exciting to be a part of the Biggest Blue Loser winning team! I decided to join the Biggest Blue Looser because I needed the support, feedback and knowledge to help me start reaching my weight loss goal. The staff was super supportive in all of those areas. My biggest challenge that I face is abiding by my nutritional plan on the weekends but I have learned to make choices in my food options. I am seeing visible results in weight loss, sleep patterns and energy levels. Friends, coworkers and family have also noticed and complimented me. Although I have not reached my goal, I do realize that these changes that I have made are rewarding lifestyle changes.
Check out Weight Loss Matters for yourself!
Hussamuddin Nasir, 2012 Biggest BLUE Loser Male 3rd Place Winner. Lost 4.3% of his body weight!
Why did you decide to join BBL?
After struggling with my
weight for around 5 to 10 years, losing and regaining weight, and hitting a
plateau and then quitting numerous times, I decided it’s now time that I take
charge of my health. I wanted to find the reason behind this see-saw in weight
loss and try to lose weight the proper way and keep it off. I had heard about
the WLM program and thought BBL would give me a boost to my
efforts.
How did the
program/staff help you?
The program educated me to
- Eat right and snack healthy.
- Not starving myself of foods that my body craves for and instead take things in moderation or substitute it for healthier options.
- Being more informed about things I am eating with advice from Karen, Emily and Helen
- Group motivation by listening to strategies and methods others in the groups employed to solve their problems and trying to incorporate it into my lifestyle helped.
- Keeping myself hydrated so that my mind does not get confused between actual hunger and just the body being dehydrated.
- Finding ways to increase body activity level in simple ways that you can add in your daily routine like using the stairs always, or simple exercises that can be done right in your office chair or couch. All these add up and help a lot in achieving the perfect weight loss strategy and help keep the weight off.
What was your biggest challenge?
My biggest challenge was
to stick to my WLM diet plan and keep up my exercise routine regularly even when
under stress and extreme work pressure. These were times when I used slack off
and start bingeing on junk food. The WLM staff was very helpful here in helping
me plan out strategies to de-stress and also provided me options for eating
healthy and fun snacks.
What are your results to date? Have you reached your
goal?
I have lost about 5% of my body weight since I started in
January 2012 and still have a long way to go. I still have to lose about 60
pounds which I hope to accomplish that by May 2013
Check out Weight Loss Matters for yourself!
In Their Own Words: Tobacco Cessation Success Story
Emily Hicks: "Even though a path has a puddle, it doesn’t mean I have to step in it."I had known for a while that I was going to quit smoking, telling myself that I wasn’t really addicted. But when it came time for my “smoke break,” I was always outside (across the street of course) with a cigarette.And driving, oh man, driving was the worst. I felt like I didn’t know how to drive without a cigarette in hand. I remember walking into Wellness on Wheels and being excited about learning more about nutrition, but when they offered up a program to help you quit smoking, I was intrigued. I remember thinking that I wasn’t really going to quit, but I signed up anyway. Andrea called. I set a goal date of February (this was in early September). I remember her response was something along the lines of “Well, we’d like for your goal to be more short-term.” So, with a cigarette in hand, I reluctantly set a quit date in late September.
I remember the first informational email I received. Delete. Didn’t even think about it, let alone read it. Smoke break came and I smoked. Same thing the next day. Another email, but this time I read some of it. Delete. Kept smoking. Then the phone calls started. There were days I wanted to just not answer. I didn’t really want to hear what she had to say. As it got cooler, I started to cough. I realized that after a few emails and few calls that I didn’t want to smoke as much. And I didn’t. I was on my last pack of cigarettes that I had purchased, so I went and got the Nicorette lozenges via the voucher provided by the program. I sat in my floor and read every paper in the package. I wanted to know everything about them.
Knowledge truly is power, no matter how cliché it sounds. We all face our own struggles and nicotine was my outlet. Have a bad day, smoke a little more. And preceding meeting the Wellness crew, I had a dear friend tell me that I was not allowed to smoke in my wedding dress. My whole reason for wanting to do the Wellness on Wheels was to be healthier and more confident on my wedding day. Turns out no matter what your reason for that first step, or how much you battle with yourself over quitting, this program works! I wanted to quit, but I didn’t want to put forth any effort. If you are reading this, you are probably there. With the knowledge, resources and coaching provided, I am proud to say that I have not even had a puff since late September.
Andrea is a blessing. I remember being so frustrated with her because I would tell her how irritated I was and she had a way of putting things in perspective that allowed me to realize that even though a path has a puddle, it doesn’t mean I have to step in it. And that’s it is acceptable to be frustrated and/or annoyed … and that I was going to need a new outlet. One of the first calls, Andrea did a basic overview of the program and I remember thinking – how is she going to not only give me replacement therapy, but also provide me with coping mechanisms for replacing nicotine in my life with healthier outlets? I’m still processing how it all happened, but what I do know is that I am healthier and happier than I ever was as a smoker. I’m not going to lie, I did gain 8 pounds since September, but Andrea was also there for me when I was ready to combat that with additional resources available to me at UK. Andrea herself, and I’m sure whoever else coaches, was a great resource for me throughout this process and I am sure I will never be able to repay her for seeing me through.
Get more info. on Tobacco Cessation.
Through hard work and patience, Sean Conway lost more than 100 pounds!
Sean Conway lost more than 100 pounds with the help of Body Shop Fitness. |
What UK Health & Wellness programs helped you with your weight loss? The Body Shop and staff are invaluable. Having access to the professional staff that can walk me through exercises that would benefit me meet my goals was amazingly helpful. Both locations are convenient to anywhere on campus, and the low cost of membership have been a great boon in helping me reach my weight-loss goals. |
When and why did you decide to join Body Shop?
I had been a member of the Body Shop for a couple of years and have gone intermittently in that time. However, last June my doctor put me on blood pressure medication. Although I’ve been big all my life, this was the first time my weight was directly affecting my health in a tangible manner. Not wanting to take medication for a long period of time, I resolved to use my membership more fully.
How has the program and staff helped you?
Tiffany was absolutely wonderful to work with. She helped me develop a routine that would assist me in losing weight. I also told her that I enjoy hiking, so she added some exercises that would help build up my lower body strength. Anytime I see Tiffany in the Body Shop, she seems genuinely interested in my progress and always has something encouraging to say, which is always helpful when you’re working toward a long-term goal.
Other employees at the Body Shop were equally helpful. Anytime I had a question about proper form of an exercise, how exactly it was affecting me, or for a replacement exercise when a routine was beginning to stagnate, I could count on anyone there to assist me with a helpful attitude and give full explanations to anything they suggested.
What was your biggest challenge?
Motivation after the first couple of weeks is always something that, I think, can get people down. I tried to take a long-term view of the situation and didn’t go into it this time, like I had on previous attempts, expecting quick and immediate results. Instead I found routines that suited me and slowly ramped up the amount of physical activity I expected from myself in a day. Seeing the weight start coming off was great motivation in itself. Encouraging words and advice from Tiffany and other Body Shop members were also helpful in keeping motivated.
Also, changing my eating habits was something that took time, but I have successfully made permanent changes to my diet, and am consistently making better choices in what I eat and how I cook, as I now almost exclusively only eat what I prepare myself with healthier ingredients.
What are your results to date? Have you reached your goal?
Although I have not reached my goal, I am within a stone’s throw of it. To date (since June 2010) I have lost 115 pounds, 14 inches (over a foot!!) off my waist, two shirt sizes, a ring size, and even half of a shoe size. I would like to lose at least another 30 pounds. I have recently, however, crossed the line of one of my major immediate goals…not having to buy all my clothes in the big and tall section.
How does it feel to be YOU now?
It feels great. I am able to get out on the trail more often and can go miles farther than I previously could. I’ve even recently taken up trail running for an added boost to my physical activity. I’m at the lowest weight of my adult life and feel great thanks in large part to Health & Wellness and the Body Shop.
Linda Rice: 2011 Biggest BLUE Loser Female 1st Place Winner
 |
Why did you decide to join Weight Loss Matters/BBL? Because I know WLM works and have been successful in losing weight with the program in the past. I am competitive by nature and knew the BBL is what I needed to get me started (someone to help me be accountable)! I was also motivated by finally realizing the damage I had been doing to my body with my poor eating habits. I had an elevated cholesterol level, increased blood pressure, elevated glucose levels and was close to being diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. I realized it was time to do something for my health! |
How did the program/staff help you?
They helped with new and interesting topics each week, fun food of the week, mini-challenges, and helped me realize there is more to the program than just dieting. This time around (I have done WLM several times before), I really took to heart their suggested readings, which have been great motivators and so informational. Dr. Brian Wansink’s book, “Mindless Eating” was truly eye opening and really made me rethink how I was eating!
What was your biggest challenge?
Getting my mind wrapped around the dietary healthy lifestyle changes needed and not just seeing it as a "diet." Planning meals has never been easy for me nor has journaling, but they are becoming second nature to me now. It helps because I have seen how important they are for long-term success.
What are your results to date? Have you reached your goal?
I have lost 14.8% of my body weight and hope to lose 15 more pounds in the current 10-week WLM session. Then the tough part will be to maintain the loss and maintain the healthy lifestyle changes I have made thus far! I am really looking forward to seeing how the weight loss has affected my cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose levels.
How does it feel to be YOU now?
AWESOME! It is great to have clothes fit again! It is also amazing how much more stamina and endurance I have in my exercise classes. Things I used to have a hard time doing now seem so easy!
Mike Soult: 2011 Biggest BLUE Loser Male 1st Place Winner
 |
Why did you decide to join Weight Loss Matters/BBL? Joined to keep the healthy competition going between my wife and myself. How did the program/staff help you? I was helped by the program because now, I had someone to answer to other than myself. What was your biggest challenge? Finding workouts to do that weren't boring. I loved to run before I broke my foot and the doctor said "no more." Then I gained most of the weight back. Now I needed to find other ways to really burn the calories. |
What are your results to date? Have you reached your goal?
I've lost 2.3% of my body weight and would like to lose about 18 more pounds. I am not satisfied because I know I can do better (plus my wife - Dr. Allison Soult - beat me in percentage lost). So I'll be back for another round.
How does it feel to be YOU now?
Feels good to know I’m in better shape at 41 than I was at 21.
Jeb Messer: 2011 Biggest BLUE Loser Male 2nd Place Winner
Why did you decide to join Weight Loss Matters/BBL?
Prior to joining the class I had been slowly adding around 5 to 10 pounds or so a year for something like the last 5 years.
How did the program/staff help you?
My favorite thing about the class is the food diaries. They force you to really be accountable for what you eat.
What was your biggest challenge?
My biggest challenge has been accepting that these are lifestyle changes and that results will take time.
What are your results to date? Have you reached your goal?
The success for me so far is that I have stopped that gain and have started to lose some weight, but this weight loss has been very slow. No, I’m still working on my goal and I continue to stay enrolled in WLM.
How does it feel to be YOU now?
One nice thing about the class is that it does feel good to do something positive for yourself.
Dr. Janet Ford: 2011 Biggest BLUE Loser Female 2nd Place Winner
Why did you decide to join Weight Loss Matters/BBL?
I hoped it would provide additional incentives and structure for me to successfully remove weight. I am a classic example of a person with stress-related weight gain that was beginning to affect my health in a negative way.
How did the program/staff help you?
Having Dr. Karen McNees monitor my food and exercise diary has been very helpful. Many of the class topics have been pertinent to my particular issues, e.g.: mindless eating, portion control, meal planning, and dealing with stress in ways that don’t involve over-eating. The links to different websites have been very useful. I have found the Loseit.com website to be an excellent tool for me to keep track of the calories I’m consuming and the calories I’m expending. One of the other people in the class talked about it and I found the link in the course materials. Many of my fellow participants in the program have had good suggestions that I have tried.
What was your biggest challenge?
So far, the biggest challenge is making time to go to the gym. I am trying to get to Alumni Gym Body Shop at least three times a week. I have been successful so far, but I’ve had to go on Saturday mornings more often than I had hoped. I’m on my second strength-training routine. Tiffany Orcena, one of the Health & Wellness program staff, has been very helpful in keeping my routine challenging but enjoyable. I haven't hit a plateau in weight loss yet; I know that is coming and will be a challenge.
What are your results to date? Have you reached your goal?
I got second place in the Biggest Blue Loser competition by losing 14.1% of my starting body weight. That was much better than I thought I would do, but I have not reached my goal weight. I have signed up for another 10-week session of the Weight Loss Matters on-line course. I’m hoping to continue until I reach a healthy weight and BMI.
How does it feel to be YOU now?
Like I've made a good start, but I have further to go.
Rebecca Florence: 2011 Biggest BLUE Loser Female 4th Place Winner
Why did you decide to join Weight Loss Matters/BBL?
I had two colleagues who had participated in the past who encouraged me to join.
How did the program/staff help you?
I really enjoyed the class sessions and the information they provided.
What was your biggest challenge?
Some days it was sticking to my diet (wow did I used to eat a lot of carbs!!!). Other times it was finding enough time to work out.
What are your results to date? Have you reached your goal?
Yes I have reached my goal, but I have set a new one to lose even more weight and to keep it off.
How does it feel to be YOU now?
If feels great. I enjoyed shopping for some new clothes.
For Elizabeth Siereveld Weight Loss Matters is a lifestyle rather than a weight loss program
 |
April of 2009 is when I officially signed up for my first 10 weeks of Weight Loss Matters. However, I had been thinking about joining the program in January of 2009 to be a part of the biggest loser competition. I guess I was too afraid and did not want to start the program without a buddy. So I found out that I was going to be in two weddings in October of 2009 and that is when I decided to join Weight loss matters to get ready for the two weddings. |
I was nervous and scared because I felt like I had a lot of weight to lose and I didn’t know what to expect from the program. I also felt like I did not have any energy and became winded easily with aerobic exercise. I decided I was too young to be feeling that way and did not want to set myself up for hypertension and diabetes in the near future. If I could change anything about my decision to join weight loss matters I would have joined much sooner than I did, I would have never waited because WLM has given me my life back in so many different ways including my health and happiness.
The staff of WLM is great. Karen and Helen are always positive and encouraging me to succeed. They have given me so many tools for my toolbox of life to deal with weight issues and food choices. They have taught me that WLM and loosing weight is not about a quick fix but it is a lifestyle change. Karen and Helen and their support staff are always willing to go the extra mile to help me succeed by answering questions, introducing me to new healthy foods, and also providing resources to tackle the everyday challenge of loosing or maintaining your weight. I really would not have been as successful as I have been without the support from the WLM staff, my family, and friends.
My biggest challenge for weight loss has been myself. I have had to make a lot of changes to my daily routine and had to really get my mind in the right place to lose weight. Before beginning WLM I was a person who was running to McDonald’s once a week for a super sized meal and washing it down with a large soda, and now I realize that I don’t need fast food and I really do not want it. I can say that I have not had a value meal from McDonalds in over a year now and I don’t even miss it. My diet now consists of fresh food and most days of the week I eat at home, and not in restaurants. I feel that I can control my diet better if I prepare the food myself. I still crave food that is not so good for me now, but I make a conscious effort not to have those things in my house. WLM has also provided me the tools I need to make smarter, healthier choices when eating out at restaurants. I have to confess I do avoid the chip aisle at the grocery store because I know that if I go down that aisle a bag of potato chips will jump into my cart and go home with me. I have also had to plan my meals out and be prepared. I pack my lunch and breakfast every night before I go to bed so that I am not rushing around looking for things to eat during the day and also do not have an excuse to go eat in the cafeteria. WLM diet plan does not ban any foods from the program. However, it does teach you how to incorporate your favorite foods into your meal plan and not have to deprive yourself of your favorites as long as you do it in moderation. I have been able to eat M&M’s most days just because I need a chocolate fix.
After being in the program for almost two years, I have lost 58 pounds. I am still not at my goal weight, because I have decided that I would like to lose 100 pounds. I never thought it would be possible when I started the program, but now it has become a personal challenge for me. I have just recently started working with a personal trainer at the Johnson Center to help me reach my goal of 100 pounds. Working with my personal trainer is the hardest thing I have ever done, but it is also rewarding because he pushes me to places that I have never taken my body. My trainer is very knowledgeable and encourages me to succeed while keeping me engaged in the exercises. He knows I can do what he is asking me to do and wants me to take my fitness level beyond what I have been able to do in the past.
How does it feel to be me now? I am a much healthier and happier “me” now than the “me” that I have been in a very long time. I have so much more energy now that I didn’t have before starting WLM and loosing my weight. I have been an athlete all my life, but before now I was just “going through the motions” but now I enjoy working out and all the extra energy I get from it. This past year I completed a 5k race downtown Lexington and also completed a sprint triathlon held here at the University. I had completed the triathlon in 2008 and this year I was able to decrease my finishing time by thirty minutes. In 2011 I plan on training for a half Ironman triathlon in August.
I just want everybody to know that they can be successful in WLM. WLM is not a quick fix or a fad diet. It takes hard work, lots of planning and commitment to the program. I have made my health a priority over the past two years and I have learned it is ok to be selfish when it comes to my health and overall wellness. I work hard at it everyday and it has become more of a lifestyle for me rather than a weight loss program.
A Testimonial from an Anonymous Wellness on Wheels (WOW) Participant
How did the information/staff help you decide to make a change?
To tell you the truth, I had already made a personal commitment to become healthier prior to my WOW appointment.The data, provided by WOW, gave further evidence that I needed to change my lifestyle.
What goals did you set?
My goals were simple: Reduce alcohol consumption in hopes to decrease my TRG and increase HDL. And reduce my BMI to normal.
Have you met those goals (even partially)?
Yes, I have markedly reduced my alcohol consumption. However, I will not meet with my PCP until this summer. I have dropped within a normal BMI (24.7), but have additional room for improvement.
What was your biggest challenge in meeting them?
Breaking my routine. Identifying an exercise regimen that my body could tolerate; I have had both knees worked on and they frequently swell following exercise.
How did you overcome those obstacles?
I broke my routine by prioritizing exercise once I arrived home from work. I exercise first thing when I get home, so that I don’t become distracted by other factors. I tried a few low impact exercises and decided that an elliptical was the least painful and most enjoyable.
The 2010 Biggest BLUE Loser Won with the Help of a Little Friendly Competition
"I can’t resist a competition!” Otte said. “Plus, I really wasn’t feeling comfortable in my body. I was overweight and was not eating well. It was time for a change." |
When Samantha Otte’s friend and coworker challenged her to join the Otte found keeping a food diary to be an eye-opening experience. What she thought were balanced meals were in reality heavy in starch and protein and light in fruits, vegetables and dairy.
"The accountability of the weekly weigh-ins and turning in the food diaries really help to keep me on track," Otte said. "And having group discussions helped me see that I wasn’t alone in my battles. It was also a great way to get different ideas of how to overcome problems."
Otte’s biggest challenge is a common one: Finding time to exercise. With a full-time job and a family to care for, she couldn’t find time to drive to a gym every day. So, she started walking 30 minutes during lunchtime with a friend. Once her daily walks became a habit, she added 20 to 30 minutes of exercise each evening at home – after the kids went to bed.
"I usually wouldn’t finish my workout until 9:30 p.m. but it worked for me," Otte said. "After a while, I started getting up a little bit earlier every morning and adding in a 10 minute workout there as well. If life gets a little crazy at work or home, I try to find a way to work in at least 10 minutes here and there. Every bit counts!"
The hard work paid off in more ways than losing pounds and wining a prize package. It gave Otte a boost in confidence and improved her overall health.
"I feel comfortable in my skin now," Otte said. "Not to mention that I have lowered my blood pressure and have more energy. I seem to be a little less stressed these days as well."
As for that friend and coworker who triggered Otte’s competitive side – it was a close race. Ashley Walton lost 11.9% of her body weight, earning 2nd place. But both women came out winners.
Bride-To-Be Ashley Walton Found Her Motivation and Lost the Pounds
"My weight was consistently creeping up and I knew I needed to make a change with my eating habits. Trying to do it by myself wasn’t really working," Walton said. "Plus, I love competition.The possibility of 10 weeks of prizes and a final prize is very motivating." |
Ashley Walton, a UK employee in the Office of Research Integrity, challenged
her friend and coworker, Samantha Otte, to join In addition to the allure of the competition, Walton found accountability to
be the key to her success.
The weekly meetings, weigh-ins, and food journal
requirements kept her on track.
"I also really looked forward to the weekly e-mails with tips and information for each week’s meeting," Walton said. "It was nice to receive that information for a little added motivation."
Walton, who is only three to five pounds shy of her goal weight, acknowledged that learning the dietary exchange system was her biggest challenge. But the hard work was worth it and has even opened up "new" wardrobe possibilities.
"I have more energy and just feel better overall," Walton said. "I am ‘shopping in my closet’ and am able to wear some clothes I haven’t been able to wear for a while."
Busy schedule and world travel don't block weight loss progress
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D. Allan Butterfield, Ph.D. The Alumni Association Endowed Professor of Biological Chemistry; Director, Center of Membrane Sciences; Faculty Associate, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center; and Faculty Associate, Sanders-Brown Center on Aging |
Q: When and why did you decide to join Weight Loss Matters?
A: I joined WLM in October 2008 to determine if this program would lead to more success than others I had tried. I am pleased to state that this is indeed the case.
Q: How did the program/staff help you?
A: Dr. Karen McNees and Helen Moseley have been singularly helpful in a number of ways. (a) Their professionalism is appealing; (b) Their positive approach to encouragement is helpful; (c) Their accommodation to special circumstances has been helpful; (d) Their impressive knowledge of nutrition and their imparting of this knowledge in constructive ways have been helpful.
Q: What was your biggest challenge?
A: There have been several challenges, but perhaps the biggest is that I do a lot of traveling all over the world associated with being invited to present our research on Alzheimer's disease. How does one stay connected with the WLM program in such cases? The answer is that Dr. McNees and Helen have been so helpful to send handouts electronically to me, and, more importantly, they have permitted me to submit my WLM food and exercise diaries electronically to them, along with weekly weigh-ins from different locations.
I needed a program that I could stick with, and this appears to me to be it. WLM has an expectation of self-discipline, which appeals to me. WLM does not ask more than is reasonable to ensure weight loss, so that, at least for me, I can lose weight without feeling hungry all the time. This allows me to achieve a steady, slow weight loss, which research suggests is key to reaching and maintaining one's goal. Important to me, the WLM food diaries allow me to see what food categories I have used for a day or week, and how to modulate food intake in cases where levels of a particular category have been exceeded.
Q: What are your results to date? Have you reached your goal?
A: I am pleased to state that I have lost 25 pounds thus far. I have not reached my ultimate goal yet, but I continue to stay involved in the program and expect that I will reach my goal eventually.
Q: How does it feel to be YOU now?
A: I feel motivated to reach my goals and pleased with the results so far. I have purchased new clothes, which is fairly rewarding. I believe my personal and professional lives are pretty exciting, and I expect weight loss has something to do with this.
2009 Biggest BLUE Loser wins at weight loss
Jennifer Allen, the 2009 Biggest Blue Loser female winner, lost 19 pounds during the 10-week competition. She continues attending Weight Loss Matters classes. To date, she has lost a total of 27 pounds. She shares her success story below.
Q: Why did you join Biggest Loser/Weight Loss
Matters?
A: After my husband had such great success
by joining Weight Loss Matters a year ago,
I decided to give it a try in order to lose weight and tone up after having two
children in a little over two years.
Q: How did the program and staff help
you?
A: Getting a personalized eating plan was very
helpful. It gave me set guidelines that I needed to start making changes in my
diet. I also began working out at the gym again, which feels so good. The staff
is encouraging and never judgmental. It was such a positive experience that I
signed up for another 10 weeks.
Q: What was your biggest challenge?
A: I love starches and my biggest challenge was getting past the first two weeks when I felt hungry all the time. Now I hardly notice that I used to eat so many starches and carbs. It was also a challenge to find time with two young children to go to the gym. Once I started going during my lunch break, I realized I could make time and not have it interfere with time with my boys.
Q: What are your results to date? Have you reached your goal?
A: At the end of my first 10 week session, I lost 19 pounds. It was so motivating to see the physical differences and to feel stronger again. My goal is to lose another 10 pounds in the next 10-week session (by summer) and then I’d like to lose another 10 after that to get to my goal weight. (Editor's note: To date, Jennifer has lost 27 pounds!)
Q: How does it feel to be YOU now?
A: It really feels great – I feel healthier and have more energy. I feel in control of my body again and just physically stronger. It feels really good knowing that I can set a goal for losing weight and exceed it. It is so rewarding to know I can take control and do this – for myself and my family.
An unexpected joy brings about an extraordinary change
By John Hoover (Body Shop member and spouse of UK employee, Anna Hoover)
I joined the Body Shop on February 3, 2009 (or should say re-joined as I had been a previous member several years ago). The obvious reason I rejoined was to get back into shape, but there is a bit more to it than that. I knew I needed to change.
I was over 40 and over 300 pounds! My doctor had put me on medications for high cholesterol and high blood pressure.My doctor also told me if I didn't make changes, I faced the very real possibility of diabetes. But I ignored her advice thinking I could get back into shape anytime I wanted. I was just too busy to get serious about it then. All that was about to change forever, as was the rest of my life. That brings me to the real reason for wanting to get back into shape and stay there – the birth of my first child.
Our daughter came very unexpectedly into our lives. My wife, Anna, had been diagnosed some years ago with acute endometriosis and uterine fibroids and was told by her doctor she most likely could not have children. We had come to terms with this. Well, her condition progressed to the point that her doctor recommended a full hysterectomy. Now the reality of never having children was upon us, but we thought we were prepared as we knew this day would come. To prepare her for the upcoming surgery, her doctor performed a minor surgical procedure and prescribed hormones along with a medication to inhibit her menstrual cycle. The hope was to shrink the fibroids so she could have the hysterectomy laparoscopically instead of a full incision.
The side effects of this treatment included no menstrual cycle and nausea. You guessed it, the same signs as early pregnancy. My wife indeed had all of the symptoms, but we thought it was because of the medications. The day of the surgery arrived. We checked into the hospital and were waiting together until the time for surgery. A nurse came in and told us the surgery would have to be cancelled because the routine pregnancy test came back positive! You could have knocked us over with a feather! We absolutely could not believe it! But the real shocker came two days later at a follow-up doctor’s visit that revealed not only was she pregnant but was four and a half months along! All the symptoms she was experiencing were NOT due to the meds, but rather the pregnancy. Four months later we had a beautiful baby daughter, Evelyn Rose. She is the REAL reason for my life change.
So far, I have lost 58 pounds, four pant sizes, and eight inches off my waist. My cholesterol has dropped from 217 to 150. My blood pressure has gone from 140's/90's to under 120/80; my last reading was 119/72. As far as goals go, I have met some short-term goals, but still have a way to go long-term. I am not as concerned about my weight as my measurements. Ultimately I would like to get my waist size less than 36 inches.
Kimberlee Kabbes at the Body Shop has been invaluable in this process. I was
no stranger to the gym, but it had been several years. She listened to my goals
and helped me set up an exercise program that was right for me.
My biggest challenge may be yet to come. And that's keeping the weight off
and continuing this healthy lifestyle of exercising and eating right. I guess
that would fall under the category of staying motivated. But I'm happy to report
that I've only had minor set backs so far and am still very motivated to
continue my journey!
To be ME now feels great! I sleep better. I feel
better. The biggest thing for me, when I was over 300 pounds, was not being able
to enjoy physical activities that I once loved. But now I walk when I golf. I
once again enjoy camping and hiking. My dogs love me, as I walk them more often
and farther. I also plan to take up tennis again soon.And best of all I'll be
able to share all these things with my daughter!
My advice: Don't put it
off, make changes now – even if they are small ones. Over time, small changes
add up to make a big difference. I know the changes I've made have and continue
to provide wonderful benefits and add to my enjoyment of life.
Taking care of ourselves: A Weight Loss Matters success story
Sandy Slater before and after losing 30 pounds.
Sandy Slater has been on and off of various weight-loss programs for much of her adult life. Even when she lost weight, her success was only temporary as she regained the weight time after time. It’s a struggle to which many of us can relate.
Other health problems went hand-in-hand with Sandy’s weight gain – arthritis began to creep in and she was put on medication for high blood pressure. She knew medication was only a temporary fix and did not address the underlying weight problem.
“This time, I needed a life altering change,” Sandy said.
Sandy decided to join Weight Loss Matters, a 10-week program taught by registered dietitians. With guidance, she changed her nutrition and exercise habits. Her hard work paid off with a 27-pound weight loss. But Sandy’s rewards go far beyond the numbers on a scale.
“It has also changed my life,” Sandy said. “I was told by my doctor that I didn’t have to take anymore blood pressure pills. The weight loss and exercise have brought the blood pressure down and it’s staying down.”
Being healthy, Sandy said, is a daily commitment and it takes work. But her greatest challenge is having the right attitude. She realizes the “I don’t care” attitude is easy to fall back on, but it will get you nowhere. She works to keep a positive attitude, even during her time of heartbreak after losing her mother.
“Before mom died, I knew that she prayed for us before our feet hit the floor after a good night’s sleep,” Sandy said. “I keep that in my mind – how someone could care enough to do that for another. Why can’t we do that for ourselves? I think you have to focus on something that will guide you back into the right mindset to stay on the path for your well being.”
-- Melanie Jackson Sparks
Susie Stombaugh: Winner of 08 Biggest BLUE Loser lost 12.7% of her body weight!
Why did you decide to join Biggest Blue Loser?
I really needed to lose weight for many reasons, health issues being a major one. I’m a competitive person. So, I thought the competition aspect of BBL would give me extra motivation.
How did the program/staff help you?
They were SO encouraging! Even on weeks I did not lose any weight, they encouraged me that I could do this. They were also very knowledgeable and willing to find out anything they did not know at the moment.
What was your biggest challenge?
Mentally, my biggest challenge was actually believing I could lose weight and keep it off. Practically, my biggest challenge was finding time to exercise. I often walked on our treadmill after everyone had gone to bed!
What are your results to date? Have you reached your goal?
I have a long way to go to reach my goal. So, I’m trying to focus on short-term goals. I am continuing with Weight Loss Matters and my goal is to lose 10 more pounds in this next session. I am also participating in Wildcats on the Move, and I’ve set a goal of 300 minutes of activity per week.
How does it feel to be YOU now?
Some days it feels really great, when I look at how far I’ve come and how much better I’m feeling. Other days I look at how far I have to go, and it doesn’t feel so great. I’m trying to focus on the short term so I can reach my long term goals one step at a time.
Just make the phone call: A Body Shop Success Story
Penny Cruse became involved in the UK Health & Wellness Program because she wanted to lose weight and feel good about herself. Penny has already experienced a great deal of success in Weight Loss Matters by dropping 23 pounds and two pants sizes! She decided to join Body Shop Fitness, after learning in WLM that exercise is crucial to maintaining weight loss. Penny, who works for the UK Educational and Counseling Psychology department, currently exercises at Alumni Gym for one hour and 10 minutes two days per week. She spends 10 minutes on a stationary bike, 25 minutes on a treadmill, and 35 minutes on her resistance training program created by a Body Shop staff member.
Like many people, Penny initially doubted she would have enough time to work out. She also thought she was too out of shape. But a friend encouraged her to "just get moving and do some kind of exercise even if it is something small." Penny realized the "all or nothing" approach does not apply to exercise, and it is okay to start slowly and work toward goals one step at a time.
Penny's exercise goals include building cardio endurance and eventually being able to jog again. She wants to look toned and continue to increase her energy level. Since joining the Body Shop, Penny feels more energized in the evening after work, and she has a desire to do more than sit around and watch TV or read. "I feel good about myself," Penny said. "It helps my self-esteem and sense of well-being." Penny also noted that exercise is a good stress reliever.
Penny's advice to anyone considering joining Body Shop Fitness: "Just make the phone call and get your free fitness consultation, so you will get started. Making the phone call to get started was the hardest step for me."
-- Katie Chester, Graduate Assistant.
BeH.I.P. Success Story: Living her best life
Bernadine McGhee, UK Counseling & Testing Center
What H & W Programs do you participate in?
I started with the BeH.I.P. program in August 2007 because my doctor recommended it. She said I needed accountability.
Why did you decide to make a change?
My weight had gotten up to 256. My doctor was worried about diabetes. It runs on my father’s side of the family.
How did the program/staff help you?
The staff helped through guidance and instruction and encouragement and education!
What is your ultimate goal?
My ultimate goal is to eat right for life and exercise for life, and be all that I can be!
How does it feel to be YOU now?
Even better now, that I can feel looseness in my clothes, I always thought good of myself even when I was 17 pounds heavier.
What was your biggest challenge?
My biggest challenge was doing this without drugs or the new medical procedures. I’ve been overweight since birth, and I accepted that because it was easier to deal with. I figure God made poodles, and he made Saint Bernards. I live my life not based on society but who I am.
Success story: From feeling stuck to running 5K’s
If you had told Jill Hatton a year ago that she’d be gearing up to complete her fifth 5K race in a year, she wouldn’t have believed you. But it’s a fact.
Jill started her journey to better health by simply participating in the UK Healthtrac Rewards Program. When Jill spoke to her health coach last December, she mentioned feeling stuck with her weight loss results.
“I felt stuck in a never ending situation. I was tired of feeling the same way and looking the same way,” Jill said. “I couldn’t understand how I could work full-time and go to school full-time and juggle all of that, but I couldn’t lose this weight and keep it off very long.”
That’s when Jill learned she could see a dietitian through the UK Health & Wellness Program at no cost. In January, she began working with Kim Moore, program liaison and registered dietitian. Kim gave Jill a nutrition plan focused on calorie counting and portion control. Jill began keeping a food diary and notes not only what she eats, but why she is eating to keep tabs on emotional eating.
“I realize that if I don’t document something in that journal, I am only lying to myself. So everything goes in there,” Jill said.
Jill knows that healthy nutrition is only part of the weight-loss solution. She recently completed her fifth 5K race this year. She also began strength training to help reach her ultimate goal of competing in a triathlon.
“In a million years, I never thought I would ever, ever do anything like this at all,” Jill said. “I learned how to swim earlier in the year. Before then, I was totally afraid of the water. Now, I love swimming.”
Jill’s biggest challenge has been finding time for fitness and sticking to it. She took Kim’s advice and shifted her thinking about fitness. She now thinks of it as part of her daily routine just like eating and sleeping. Her dedication has made a lasting impression on her partner in health, Kim Moore.
“Jill is a role model for behavior change and a diligent student in the areas of nutrition and exercise. We set goals together and she does her homework assignments,” Kim said. “Between our sessions every three months, she keeps me informed of her progress via e-mail. We celebrate her successes – like her best 5K time ever last week! And I encourage her along the way. She is a constant reminder of why I do what I do on a daily basis.”
Has Jill’s hard work and commitment to better health paid off? Yes, in amazing ways. Jill’s cholesterol, blood glucose and blood pressure have all improved, and she has dropped six pant sizes and eight shirt sizes so far. She still has a way to go before reaching her goal but puts it all in perspective. “I have realized my weight did not appear over night and will definitely not leave overnight,” Jill said.
-- Melanie Jackson
Healthtrac Success Story: The 37,000 mile man
"Within a month of having a heart attack in July of 1992, I began a campaign of exercise walking that my cardiologist strongly recommended. I started out weighing about 224 pounds with a 240 cholesterol level. In the early days of my ‘walking,’ I was lucky to complete 20 to 30 minutes or about one mile. As I began to lose weight, my exercise time increased as well as the distance. Beginning in November of 1992, I began a ‘consecutive day historical log’ of my walking.
To make a long story short, I have not missed a single day of walking since November 1992 until the present. That’s more than 15 years of consecutive walking days, during which I have accumulated more than 37,000 miles! (I am a record-keeper.) I have maintained my weight (170-175) as well as my blood test results. I am 68 years of age, and I now average about four to five miles a day at about 2.5 mph (most of which is on my treadmill). I’ve slowed a bit, but the streak continues. UK Healthtrac Rewards provides an additional incentive for me, and I will continue my routine as long as I am able. There is hope for all!"
— Ron Horvath, UK Retiree, Louisville, Ky.
Healthtrac Success Story:
40-Pound Weight Loss Leads to New Clothes and New Outlook
"I just wanted to share some statistics on my success with UK Healthrac Rewards. I signed up in November 2006. On November 1, 2007, I decided to eat healthier, exercise more (aerobics and strength training), and hopefully lose some weight. My biometrics at that date were: Weight 201 lbs., Height 5' 9", Waist 35”, Cholesterol 205 with good below 55, BP 128/ 80.
As of April 21, 2008 they were: Weight 161 lbs., Waist 31”, Cholesterol 180 with good at 60, BP 101/72. I have gone from large to medium shirts, 32” waist pants (as 31's are hard to locate), neck size reduced to 16 from 17 1/2. I now exercise and do strength training 5 evenings per week for 45 minutes to 1 hour, along with my wife.
My diet has changed dramatically. I now eat no donuts and very little sweets except for a couple of dark chocolates (total calories about 60 every day or so). Fried foods are out and salads, fish, baked chicken, all kinds of dark greens and vegetables, apples, grapes, grapefruit, whole grains in everything are in. I feel great with more energy and haven't looked this way or felt this good in 20 years!!!!!!!! Thank you for helping me realize through your program that a healthy lifestyle is important. Once you start it, you don't want to ever quit. The only problem I have had is that none of my suits or clothes fit!! So I had to cough up some money and go out and buy some clothing that fit. Well, that's actually good. Goodwill got all the larger stuff.
I now can total over 1,000 points per month because of exercise, diet and other physical activity on my Healthy Activity Tracker. It does take willpower, but as the results start rolling in, you’ll be very proud that at last you are able to take care of what God has given you."
— Ronnie Chaffins, Spouse of UK Employee
In March 2007, the Health & Wellness team received this e-mail:
Good afternoon –
I joined the Wildcat Walk last year at this time. I could only walk around 2,000 steps a day then.;I have continued to count my steps and try to increase them a little at a time. My pulmonary specialist put a limit of 7,500 steps on me. I admit I don’t walk that much every day, but I consider myself a success story. I have lost 55 pounds. My asthma is much better and I feel much better. I have set myself the goal of another 50 pounds this year, but even if I don’t make that goal, I will keep walking.
Thank you so much for this program. It has and is changing my life.
Pat Field
Physician Assistant Studies
College of HealthSciences
We just had to follow up to see how Pat achieved this impressive accomplishment:
H&W: Why did you decide to participate in the Wildcat Walk program?
Pat:I wanted to start to exercise and with my asthma I have never been able to do anything, or so I thought. So I thought that I could walk.I cannot walk outside, so I did not participate in the organized walks. I set up my own program. One step at a time. With the [pedo]meter, I was able to check my steps, not miles, every day and slowly increase. When someone says the path is only a mile, I would think – “yeah, and who can walk a mile?” Counting steps is so great – you do not even realize that you are walking a mile. I developed my own program by counting the steps each day, and I kept the log. I found that I could walk down the hall and back and add steps. Pretty soon I had increased by steps by 500 to 1,000 at day. We are talking about a person that did not walk anywhere if I could get out of it. We are not talking about a person that wants to walk a mile a day – I was happy just to get to my car without sitting down for a break so that I could breath.
H&W:What was the best part of your journey and the biggest challenge?
Pat:The best part was I had found an exercise that I could do at my own pace and I could improve at my own pace. The biggest challenge was realizing that I could walk. I had such a hard time breathing that walking always meant out-of-breath or leg pain or lung pain. I found I can walk – inside. I can walk 3 miles a day, only not at one time, divided up during the day. I found I could do this! The day that I walked 9,000 steps, I was beside myself with accomplishment and joy. This was me walking a step at a time.
H&W: Was it difficult?
PF:Yes it was difficult. I had not had any type of exercise in years. Overcoming the negative thoughts of “I can’t do this” – “I can’t breath” – “I am exhausted” – was difficult. When you have not walked but the bare necessities for years, walking is a major thing to accomplish.
H&W:Did you enjoy it?
PF:Yes, I enjoyed it – the fact that I could. Even if I just walked 50 steps more today than yesterday, I did it. I was walking and believe me that was and is a great big deal. I never walked, I used the phone or e-mail.
H&W:Any advice for others?
PF: The trick that worked for me: Don’t compare what you can do to what others are doing or say they can do or what goals others set for you. Set your own goals: “I am going to walk 20 or 50 more steps each day this week than I did last week. That means I will walk to the end of my office and back one extra time a day, and not use the phone to call – I will walk down there.” Set small goals that you can achieve, but keep setting them higher each day or even each week. Small steps were the answer for me for both the walking and the changes in my diet.
To date, Pat has lost 65 pounds and has joined the Health & Wellness team as an advocate.
For this couple, losing is a win-win situation
Tim and Julene Jones know what it’s like to be losers. The married couple, both UK employees, were the winners of Weight Loss Matters’Biggest Loser competition.
"We decided to enroll because it would be a kick-start to a healthier lifestyle for us," said Tim, who works for the Kentucky Transportation Center.
Julene lost 10.8% of her starting weight; Tim lost 9.3%.
“(Weight Loss Matters) was a lot easier than I thought it would be,” said Julene, who works for the Libraries in Special Projects. "Karen (Bryla McNees) and Kim (Moore) were very encouraging when I would see them at our weekly class, and Tim gave me tons of support during the week, especially when we would exercise together and plan our meals."
Tim agreed that the program was not difficult, but did say that it required "some thought when planning and preparing meals."
"The biggest challenge has been to overcome or deal with emotional and mental issues with regard to weight loss and appearance," said Tim. "For example, it was rather intimidating to walk into the gym the first time. I just wanted to be invisible. But as time progressed, I realized there were others at the gym for the same reason I was – to lose weight."
For Julene, the biggest challenge was recognizing and overcoming her emotionally driven eating habits.
"When I would have a bad day, I used to eat to feel better," she explained. "Now, I’ve realized that I deserve to be healthy. That’s become my motto – that I deserve to be healthy."
Since the program Tim has maintained his weight loss and Julene has continued to lose.
The hardest part of the program was making the initial phone call
Charlene Wesley joined UK’s Weight Loss Matters program in May 2007 and attended two 10-week sessions. We asked Charlene to tell us what the program was like for her. She said the lessons she learned will stay with her the rest of her life:
H&W: Why did you decide to start Weight Loss Matters?
Charlene: I decided to join the Weight Loss Matters program because my weight was getting out of control and the physical constraints were beginning to control my life. When I realized that my weight was limiting me, I decided it was time to do something about it.
H&W: Was the program difficult?
Charlene: The program is not difficult at all! They provide a food plan, not actual menus, based on your current weight, physical activity, etc., that lets you incorporate all foods. When you surrender your eating habits to that plan instead of trying to force them into the plan, it works like a charm.
H&W: Did you enjoy it?
Charlene: I did enjoy the program, the ease of it all. I lost weight even without an exercise program. I enjoyed keeping track of what was going into my body. It was almost like a science experiment. I actually felt like I was finally in control of some part of my life. I was never hungry and my energy level started to soar almost immediately. I lost weight the very first week and after gaining weight steadily for almost two years, it was a much needed boost to my confidence level. I learned something new each week during the classes and the support from the staff was tremendous; always encouraging.
H&W: Have you been able to keep the weight off?
Charlene: I have been able to keep the weight off. I had a relapse of sorts during the holidays, but as soon as I started writing down my food intake again, the weight started coming off again. I don't write my intake on a daily basis anymore, but I know if I start gaining again, the weight loss is just a pencil stroke away. I think differently about what role food plays in my life and I think that makes the biggest difference for me. I have lost an additional 10 pounds since attending the program and would lose even more if I put myself back into that routine.
H&W: What was your biggest challenge?
Charlene: The hardest part of the program was making the initial phone call and admitting that I had issues with the weight. I thought I would be embarrassed going to a weight loss program, but everyone has the same interest in mind and they are working on their own goals. It’s just as encouraging seeing them attend as it was to attend myself.
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